Things for Adults to Do on a Disney Cruise
When my family (the youngest member being 22-years-old) decided to go on a Disney Cruise for Christmas, I was excited but also a little worried. We are avid cruisers and love doing so, but I had no clue what we would do onboard. After all, isn’t Disney Cruise Line geared towards families with small children? We ended up having a great time and learned that there are lots of things for adults to do on a Disney Cruise–it’s most definitely not just for families with little kids.
While Disney Cruise Line offers typical cruise activities for adults, like bars, trivia, a spa, and live stage shows, Disney takes them to a whole new level. Here are 15 things for adults to do on a Disney Cruise.
#1 Spend Time at the Quiet Cove Pool
Let’s start our list of things for adults to do on a Disney Cruise with my favorite activity: spending time at the Quiet Cove Pool. This onboard adults-only oasis is home to a pool, whirlpool spas, and bar. The padded lounge chairs are perfect for reading a book, taking a nap, or just relaxing.
#2 Treat Yourself to a Spa Day
The Senses Salon and Spa is a retreat at sea. Choose from a variety of Spa Treatments (massages, body wraps, facials, aromatherapy, teeth whitening) and Salon Services (manicures, pedicures, hairstyling, men’s grooming) to pamper yourself with. Senses also has steam rooms and a sauna.
Spa appointments can be booked online or once you get onboard.
Note: The women’s relaxation room is underneath of the sports court on the Disney Magic. We spent about an hour listening to sound of basketballs dribbling above us.
#3 Participate in Adult-Only Cruise Activities
Disney doesn’t just have entertaining children down. There are lots of activities for adults every day with your own Adult Activities Director: Bingo, bridge, volleyball, trivia (and lots of it!), karaoke, dancing, crafts, and interactive game shows. Take advantage of these offerings; they are a lot of fun and you might make some friends!
#4 Take a Class
Beverage tastings are plentiful on Disney Cruise Line! You can try Amari, Beer, Bourbon, Champagne, Chocolate and Liquor, Cognac, Martinis, Mojitos, Rum, Wine, Tequila and Margaritas, or Whiskey. Take your beverage tasting one step further by making the drinks yourself in a Mixology class.
Another popular class onboard is The Art of Entertaining. Learn how to host the perfect party, from entertaining and creating a menu to designing professional looking invitations.
Classes vary depending on the ship and itinerary, so check your Disney Cruise Line portal to see what is offered during your cruise. These are great things for adults to do on a Disney Cruise!
Tip: Book these classes online ahead of time; many will sell out.
#5 Get Active
All four Disney Cruise ships have fully loaded workout facilities with cardiovascular equipment, weight machines, and group exercise classes (pilates, aerobics, and yoga). The fitness center will also hold seminars on topics like nutrition, fitness, and detox. Check your Personal Navigator to see what is offered during your cruise.
If your itinerary takes you to Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island in the Bahamas), opt to participate in the Castaway Cay 5K. This 3.1 mile trek will take you around the island to parts you probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The 5K is free, great for all fitness levels (you can run or walk it!), and all participants receive a medal at the end. Sign up for the Castaway Cay 5K at Guest Services.
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#6 Spend Time in the Entertainment District/After Hours
Each Disney ship has an area full of bars and lounges. At night, this space becomes adults-only. Whether you want to sit back and listen to live music or drink a cocktail under a disco ball, there is something for all adults to do on a Disney Cruise of the evening.
The five sophisticated bars and lounges that make up The District on the Disney Dream are all interconnected: District Lounge (piano bar), Evolution (nightclub), Pink: Wine and Champagne Bar, Skyline (city skyline views change daily), and Pub 687.
The Fantasy‘s Europa area is made up of five hangout spots modeled after European nightclubs: La Piazza (inspired by the cities of Italy), O’Gill’s Pub, Ooh La La (Champagne bar), The Tube (dance club), and Skyline.
The Magic has just three bars, collectively called After Hours. They are modeled after a bustling city’s entertainment district: Keys (piano bar), O’Gill’s Pub, and Fathoms (under water themed club with changing atmosphere).
After Hours is also the name of the Wonder‘s lounge area: Cadillac Lounge (piano bar), Azure (nightclub), and Crown & Fin (pub).
#7 Indulge in Signature Dining
A great thing for adults to do on a Disney Cruise is indulge in fine dining. All four Disney Cruise ships have the restaurant Palo, serving exquisite Italian cuisine. Palo is elegant but has a relaxed atmosphere and a fantastic ocean view. Dinner is served from 6 to 9 PM, but I recommend making your reservation as close to 6 as you can get to watch the sunset. There is a $30 surcharge per person to dine here and a dress code (men: pants or slacks with a collared shirt, women: shirt or pants with a blouse).
If you are cruising on the Disney Dream or Fantasy, head to Remy for the ultimate dining experience. This French inspired restaurant uses ingredients from around the world to prepare your dinner of 8 or 9 small courses. The surcharge for dining at Remy is $95 per person and there is a dress code (men: tuxedo or jacket with dress pants, women: cocktail dress, pants suit, or skirt and blouse).
You must be at least 18-years-old to dine at Palo or Remy.
Note: A reservation is needed to dine at both of these restaurants. Book them on the Disney Cruise Line website or once you get onboard. If you do not show up for your reservation, you will be charged a cancellation fee.
#8 Get a Photo with Mickey
What better way to document your Disney Cruise than a picture with Mickey Mouse himself? Mickey will make several appearance during your cruise, each time in a different outfit. Whether you get a picture with him once or five times, take advantage of the short photo lines onboard.
#9 Enjoy An Adult-Only Port Adventure
Almost all Disney Cruise itineraries include adult-only excursions. There will be a note under the Port Adventures listing that it is adults-only. Excursions range from rum tours to snorkeling and cabana massages to touring historic sites.
Check the Disney Cruise Line website or ask someone at the Port Adventures desk when you get onboard which excursions are only available to adults.
#10 See Broadway-Style Shows
Disney Cruise Line’s live stage shows could be on Broadway–they are that good! The music, costumes, and sets are pretty phenomenal, especially for a cruise. Each ship has different productions:
Dream: Disney’s Believe (story of a busy father who reconnects with his daughter with the help of a little Disney magic), The Golden Mickeys (tribute to Walt Disney films, featuring a few characters you don’t see very often), and Beauty and the Beast.
Fantasy: Disney’s Believe Disney Wishes (three friends celebrating their High School graduation at Disneyland), and Disney’s Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular.
Magic: Tangled: The Musical, Disney Dreams (musical about the power of dreams and family), and Twice Charmed, An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story.
Wonder: The Golden Mickeys, Disney Dreams, and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.
I definitely recommend seeing the shows, even if you typically skip them. If you don’t feel like getting dressed and going to the Walt Disney Theater, you can watch them on TV in your stateroom.
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#12 Admire the Ship’s Decor
The intricacy of the ship’s decor will blow you away! I have sailed with several different cruise lines and Disney take the cake for the most elaborate decor. Stop and admire all of the beautiful architecture and details throughout the ship. It’s truly Walt Disney Imagineering at its best!
This is one of my favorite things for adults to do on a Disney Cruise because you can do so at your own pace.
#12 Watch Your Favorite Sporting Event
You can find current sporting events on TV throughout the ship. Whether you want to watch a football, hockey, or basketball game, chances are you can find it playing in a bar onboard. Take this opportunity to mingle with other guests-there’s nothing like cheering on your favorite sports team with people from all over the word.
#13 Celebrate the Holidays
Did you know that you could sail on a holiday-themed cruise? Disney Cruise Line offers Halloween on the High Seas, Thanksgiving at Sea, Very Merrytime Cruises, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The only thing that’s more fun than a Disney Cruise is a holiday-themed Disney Cruise!
#14 Watch First Run Movies
The state-of-the-art Buena Vista Theater will show a variety of first run movies during your cruise. You don’t need a ticket, you just show up at the scheduled time. Thor: Ragnarok, A Wrinkle In Time, Black Panther, The Incredibles 2, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Avengers: Infinity War, and Coco are among the movies that the Buena Vista Theater has shown recently. There are also movie options on the big screen at the pool deck.
#15 Relax at a Private Oasis
Serenity Bay is an adults-only oasis on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. If your cruise itinerary takes you to Castaway Cay, opt to spend your day at this peaceful beach. Whether you want to relax, engage in water activities, listen to live music, or have a drink at the Open Air Bar, adults will love spending time at Serenity Bay.
Read more about our adventures at Castaway Cay.
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Misconceptions about Disney Cruise Line
Contrary to popular belief, there aren’t kids everywhere. While you will encounter children, majority of them are very well behaved. Plus, the kid’s clubs onboard are fantastic and most children choose to spend a large portion of their vacation there. Out of sight, out of mind!
While the ship is themed around Disney, it’s not in your face. Yes, the dining rooms and live show productions (among other things) are modeled after Disney movies, but it’s not like Goofy is going to come and sit beside you or you have to spend the entirety of your vacation watching Frozen over and over. Although the adult nightlife areas have Disney ties, it really provides an escape from a “Disney vacation”.
Disney Cruise Line is not just for families with small children. My family went on a Disney Cruise for Christmas last year and we had a blast (the youngest family member is 22-years-old). There was more than enough to keep all of us entertained while still allowing us to spend some quality family time together. Disney Criuses are definitely for families of all ages!
There are Many Things for Adults
As you can see, there are plenty of things for adults to do on a Disney Cruise. Whether you want to spend your vacation relaxing or meeting other people onboard, there is something for everyone!
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Check out some of our other Disney posts:
Walt Disney World Hacks
Ultimate Guide To Packing For The Parks
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Taylor Pittman Hardy wrote this article.
Martina says
OMG – Honestly I didn`t even know that there are disney cruises! Thats so wonderful – I would love to join a tour one day. Looks like a great fun! How long have you been on board?
MelodyPittman says
We did two Disney cruises. One for 4 days and one for 5. Most of their cruises are shorter than our typical ocean cruises.
Anja says
I have to admit that judging by the name, I’d think of this cruise as over the top “childish”, and I am so surprised how it is actually well suited for adults. I’d surely take the opportunity to learn something new (Mixology class?Yes, please!), to treat myself to a spa day, and to watch the live stage show, obviously! If only they had Moana, but I’d settle for Beauty and the Beast. π
MelodyPittman says
Yippee! We were surprised at how many adult things there were to do, too. Thought our readers might enjoy knowing that. π Appreciate the comment.
Mohana and Aninda says
Gah! I didn’t know there’s so much for adults onboard a Disney Cruise! Of course, I’d love to go rum tasting. If Mickey Mouse tags along, all the more merrier. The Broadway Shows should fun and who doesn’t want a spa treatment aboard a cruise ship with views of the open ocean really!
MelodyPittman says
Awesome! Definitely…it is always better with Mickey around. π
Lara Dunning says
I always wondered what features were perks for adults on a Disney Cruise. That is great they have so many options and things geared toward adults only. Having some me time at the spa, followed by pool time at Quiet Cove and wrapping up with a beverage tasting and signature dining sounds like the perfect day for me!
MelodyPittman says
Awesome! Thanks for checking it out. π
Lauren Pears says
You can never be too old for Disney! This cruise looks like so much fun – I didn’t actually know there were Disney cruises so I’m going to be looking into this for sure. The pool, the spa and serenity bay look like great ways to relax π
Michael Hodgson says
Very detailed post and fully appreciate the “misconnceptions” section … thankful that Goofy would not be perpetually peering over my shoulder encouraging me to watch Frozen for the 15th time. π We are NOT cruise people at all, and in fact typically run in the other direction, but do have an appreciation for cruises (in very limited doses) for their family-friendly gathering flavor. One we went on a number of years ago was an ideal way to spend quality family time with brothers, sisters, their children, parents and more without feeling as if we were tethered to them or them to us.
MelodyPittman says
Thanks for that. LOL Family outings are a great reason for a cruise so that you don’t have “too” much together time. π Thanks for reading.
Mei and Kerstin says
When we read “quiet cove pool” and “adult-only activities” versus “Disney Cruise”, we thought that you were kidding! haha… It’s so cool to know that the Disney Cruise is not really an all-kids thing, and that most of the children onboard are well behaved! We don’t have kids and are not Disney fans, but we’ll share this post with some of our friends who would be interested in going on a Disney Cruise!
MelodyPittman says
We appreciate the support! π Thanks for reading.
Astrid Vinje says
I would have so much fun just enjoying the decor on the ship (love Disney!), and taking one of the classes you mentioned. Disneyβs great no matter what age you are.